Skin problems warning: This drug may cause skin problems. These may be due to allergic and inflammatory reactions. The symptoms of these skin problems may look like the symptoms of your parasitic infection. Talk to your doctor if you have any severe itching, rash, or hives.

Eye problems warning: This drug may cause eye problems. These may be due to allergic and inflammatory reactions. The symptoms of these eye issues may look like the symptoms of your parasitic infection. Talk to your doctor if you have any issues with your eyes such as redness, pain, swelling, and vision changes.

Ivermectin is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet, topical cream, and topical lotion.

Ivermectin oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Stromectol. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Why it's used

Ivermectin oral tablet is used to treat infections of parasites. These include parasitic infections of your intestinal tract, skin, and eyes.

How it works

Ivermectin belongs to a class of drugs called anti-parasitic drugs. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Ivermectin oral tablet works by binding to parts inside the parasite. It eventually paralyzes and kills off the parasite, or it stops adult parasites from making larvae for a while. This treats your infection.

Ivermectin oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The side effects of this drug depend on the condition being treated.

The more common side effects of this drug when it’s used to treat intestinal infections include:

tiredness

loss of energy

stomach pain

loss of appetite

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

dizziness

sleepiness or drowsiness

itchiness

The more common side effects of this drug when it’s used to treat skin and eye infections include:

joint pain and swelling

swollen and tender lymph nodes

itching

rash

fever

eye problems

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Pain in your neck and back

Serious eye problems. Symptoms can include:

redness

bleeding

swelling

pain

loss of vision

Shortness of breath

Inability to control urination

Inability to control bowel movements

Trouble standing or walking

Confusion

Extreme tiredness

Extreme drowsiness

Seizures

Coma

Low blood pressure, especially when you get up after sitting or lying down. Symptoms can include:

lightheadedness

dizziness

fainting

Severe skin reactions. Symptoms can include:

severe rash

redness

blistering skin

peeling skin

Liver damage. Symptoms can include:

tiredness

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

pain on the right side of your stomach

dark urine

yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Ivermectin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with ivermectin are listed below.

Warfarin

Warfarin is a drug used to thin your blood. Taking warfarin with ivermectin can thin your blood too much and cause dangerous bleeding. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor your international normalized ratio (INR).

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Allergy warning

Ivermectin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

trouble breathing

swelling of your throat or tongue

skin rash

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with asthma: This drug may make your asthma worse. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

For people with liver problems: If you have liver problems or a history of liver issues, this drug may cause more harm to your liver. Also, you may not be able to process this drug well. This may increase the levels of the drug in your body and cause more side effects. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

For people with seizures: This drug may cause seizures. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

For people with HIV: If you have HIV or a condition where your immune system doesn’t work as well as it should, one dose of this drug may not be enough to treat your parasitic infection. You may need several treatments with this drug.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Ivermectin is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.

There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

For women who are breastfeeding: Ivermectin passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: Your liver may not work as well as it used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of this drug can stay in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: It hasn’t been established if this drug is safe and effective in children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kg).

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

your age

the condition being treated

how severe your condition is

other medical conditions you have

how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Ivermectin

Form: oral tablet

Strength: 3 mg

Brand: Stromectol

Form: oral tablet

Strength: 3 mg

Dosage for parasite infection in the intestinal tract

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Typical dosage: 200 mcg/kg of body weight taken as one dose. Most people won’t need more than one dose.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

For children who weigh 33 pounds (15 kg) or more

Typical dosage: 200 mcg/kg of body weight taken as one dose. Most children won’t need more than one dose.

For children weigh less than who 33 pounds (15 kg)

It has not been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in these children.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your liver may not work as well as it used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of this drug can stay in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

Dosage for parasite infection in skin or eyes

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Typical dosage: 150 mcg/kg of body weight taken as one dose.

Follow-up treatment: You’ll likely need follow-up care from your doctor and additional rounds of treatment with this drug. Your doctor will decide when you’ll receive your next dose of ivermectin. You may be treated again in as few as three months.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

For children who weigh 33 pounds (15 kg) or more

Typical dosage: 150 mcg/kg of body weight taken as one dose. Most children won’t need more than one dose.

Follow-up treatment: Your child will likely need follow-up care from your doctor and additional rounds of treatment with this drug. Your doctor will decide when your child will receive their next dose of ivermectin. Your child may be treated again in as few as three months.

For children weigh less than who 33 pounds (15 kg)

It has not been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in these children.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your liver may not work as well as it used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of this drug can stay in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Ivermectin oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your parasitic infection won’t be cured.

If you take too much: This is not likely because in many cases, you’ll take this drug one time only, as a single dose. However, if you take too much or your dose is too high, you could have dangerous levels of this drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

skin rash or itching

swelling

headache

dizziness

weakness or loss of energy

nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

stomach pain

shortness of breath

tingling or a feeling of pins and needles

inability to control your body movements

seizures

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms should improve. Your doctor will do tests to make sure this drug is working to treat your infection.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes ivermectin for you.

General

You should take this drug on an empty stomach. Take it with a full glass of water.

Take this drug at the time recommended by your doctor.

You can cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

Store ivermectin at room temperature below 86°F (30°C).

Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.

You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.

Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor will likely do certain tests during your treatment. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These tests may include:

Stool exam: If you take this drug for intestinal parasite infections, your doctor will do follow-up stool checks to make sure you’re no longer infected with the parasite.

Skin and eye microfilariae counts: If you take this drug for skin or eye parasite infections, your doctor will do follow-up exams to measure the number of microfilariae in your skin and eyes. Microfilariae are the young parasites that cause symptoms of the infection. If your microfilariae counts do not improve with treatment, your doctor may have you take another dose of this drug sooner.

Eye exams: If you’re taking this drug for skin and eye infections, your doctor will do follow-up eye exams to make sure this drug isn’t causing serious eye problems. If it is, your doctor may choose another drug or wait longer before giving you another dose.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.